Ardv1/Ardv10-pc-computer-control-new-s-w

[marlbrook]

Update re filename from hosting site

I have been in close contact with AnyFile, the Company that hosts the eSPYonARD setup file regarding the appending of letters and numbers to the beginning of the setup file name.

They use an Amazon service, which apparently adds those items to the beginning of files they host to ensure that each file has a unique name.

I can confirm that the setup file you download is Malware free, and has been individually tested by Malware Bytes, Avast and AVG, and been passed as 'clean'.

One other point is that during the installation the program registers a number of necessary files. To ensure this is carried out completely the program runs 'VIXREG2.EXE' once only, the next time the P.C. is started. That is sometimes necessary in case a file is 'in use' at the time of installation, and Windows cannot then complete the registration process immediately.

'VIXREG2.EXE' is a file registered to SamLogic, the Company who produce the setup software, and as can be seen by researching it on the Net is also 'clean', however some Firewalls / Anti Virus software may show an alert about it, because it adds itself to the Registry as a 'Run Once' operation.

ONE LAST THING

Has anyone downloaded and installed the latest version yet ..... 6.0007-001?

ardv1

I am particularly interested to hear about the addition of the SD Card Backup / Restore function to eSPYonARD.

The additions / amendments in the latest version may not be earth shattering (lol), but are definitely worth using.

Cheers

 

[G0RQISTEVE]

Re: Ardv1 pc computer control

I'm Running win 8.1

Downloaded Latest Version Today, Installed OK, But When I Ran The Program It Came Up With The Following After Entering The Serial Number

NO ACTIVATION CODE FOUND
in windows 10 the program must be run as an ADMINISTRATOR

You cannot re-start the program for 15 minute(s)

Waited 15 Mins Or So, Same Again.

I Was Under The Impression You Could Try Before You Buy, Or Am I Doing Something Wrong ?

Many Thanks...

 

[G7HID]

If you are "Trying Before Buying" you will not have a Serial Number.. The program will think you have entered an incorrect serial number and error up!!
Next time you run it do not enter a serial number..

Mike

 

[marlbrook]

Hi - we are both confused then

I'm Running win 8.1

Downloaded Latest Version Today, Installed OK, But When I Ran The Program It Came Up With The Following After Entering The Serial Number

NO ACTIVATION CODE FOUND
in windows 10 the program must be run as an ADMINISTRATOR

You cannot re-start the program for 15 minute(s)

Waited 15 Mins Or So, Same Again.

I Was Under The Impression You Could Try Before You Buy, Or Am I Doing Something Wrong ?

Many Thanks...

The Try Before You Buy program does not ask you for a serial number, so I am a bit confused by that bit.

The program looks for an activation code, if one is not found it reverts to the Trial, once the start-up messages are closed.

It takes a few seconds to load then, and displays a message about that.

The Trial is close to fully functional, so the 15 minute re-start is a 'Nag' for obvious reasons.

Assuming the installation went OK, and it sounds as if it did, then just give the program time to start completely.

If you close it before it is running fully, the 15 minute 'Nag' cuts in.

If you still have problems, please email me via the Icon at the Web-Site, and I will assist via emails, rather than tying up this thread.

If the above sorts the issue, please let me know.

Cheers

 

[marlbrook]

Minor Glitch

Whilst actually trying to relax and actually play radio I discovered that in eSPYonARD v.6.0007-001 the Tone Squelch selection window had become misaligned.

No idea why, a minor nervous breakdown by me presumably.

Just uploaded v.6.0007-001A, with that Gremlin fixed.

Cheers

 

[marlbrook]

More firmware issue - must read

As many Readers will know by now, when asked, I am always prepared to add things to eSPYonARD where possible.

A few days ago someone asked me to add a SEARCH option when TSQ and DCS were selected, which switches the AR-DV1 into listening mode, so it displays the TSQ/DCS parameters if they are detected.

I have done that, but during testing I discovered the following:-

re. VSQ - LSQ - NSQ - AUTO - TSQ and DCS

There are some firmware anomalies regarding the selection of these functions during a Search operation.

I think they started in 1610B, but it does not matter as most people will use 1610B anyway. There is no telling if AOR will fix these things anytime soon, if at all.

They ALL involve SEARCH mode, and cause problems with VSQ; LSQ; NSQ; AUTO; TSQ; AND DCS selection. They are quasi-intermittent, so the AR-DV1 might behave as it should sometimes, but usually it does not.

I have tested the above in manual button mode, no USB connected, and they all happen, so they are NOT eSPYonARD or software control related.

If any of the above are selected, whether in VFO, or during a SEARCH, when the search commences the functions may not work correctly. Often they appear on the radio's screen for a second, then the F/W switches them off. Sometimes the F/W just ignores them.

So, for example, if you select NSQ during a search, and the radio was showing LSQ originally, when the search is started, manually by button, or via software, the radio switches to NSQ, then switches back to LSQ. (Same for the other functions)

When you take into account this is an issue with VSQ; LSQ; NSQ; AUTO; TSQ; AND DCS selection, it is VERY inconvenient, to say the least.

After a LOT of hours work I have created a 'fix' for the above. With the next version of eSPYonARD you will be able to select any of the above during a 'search' and the radio will behave as it should.

The fix does mean the time it takes to start a search is a little longer.

BETA testers and I are looking at the updated software at the moment. As it involves a lot of code changes and additions there has to be a period of testing to make sure there are no unwanted 'knock-on' effects.

If all goes well then these issues will be fixed by eSPYonARD (other F/W fixes are already in place), but obviously will still be present if the AR-DV1 is operated manually, or by other software.

I will post here when the latest version has been uploaded.

 

[G0RQISTEVE]

Sorry For The Delay, I Tend To Work Away From Home A Lot, I Can't Seem To Find Your E-Mail Adr.Could You Please Send Me A Quick E-Mail To stevensoull@aol.com Then I Can Explain About The Problem I'm Having With The DV-1 Software, Thanks...

 

[marlbrook]

EMAIL

Sorry For The Delay, I Tend To Work Away From Home A Lot, I Can't Seem To Find Your E-Mail Adr.Could You Please Send Me A Quick E-Mail To stevensoull@aol.com Then I Can Explain About The Problem I'm Having With The DV-1 Software, Thanks...

Got to

ardv1

There are two icons on the right hand side of the page, towards the bottom.

Click on the one for Enquiries, and you can email me from that.

Cheers

 

[marlbrook]

New update posted today

Most should know that updating is really easy. Just download the new setup file and run it. All your previous settings remain unaltered.

I strongly recommend you install this latest version.

If you have not tried eSPYonARD yet, or tried much earlier versions, then please consider installing the free trial. There have been many changes, improvements and additions over the year. The web-site describes them, and there is a YouTube video showing the standard functions. This is the original video, so an early version. Updating that would result in all the User comments being removed, so I do not want that to happen. It does still give a good idea about the program's operation, although there have been many new functions added since it was made.

ardv1

Although at the end of the setup it suggests you choose to re-boot, you can ignore that when just updating.

As usual the full details of the update appear as the last entry in the Manual, under the Changes-Log. Here is a summary:

v. (6.0007-002)
1. Changes to VSQ; LSQ; NSQ; AUTO; TSQ; AND DCS selection in order to attempt a 'fix' because of 1610B firmware issues.

2. Changed default SKIN on first installation. All 12 are still available, including the original. Once you choose a Skin the program remembers your choice.

3. Added extra code to deal with even more formats of downloaded / imported frequency files in 'Q'.

NOTES re. FIRMWARE 1610B
Because firmware 1610B contains the TETRA mode, most people will wish to use it.

There are several anomalies that have been introduced with 1610B. None of them seriously affect the operation of the AR-DV1 (in manual or under software control), but they sometimes produce strange results.

In the main they are triggered whenever the radio calls VFOZ. IF bandwidth, Mode, Step, various Squelch functions especially during a Search, and other things, do not always behave correctly.

These things happen if the radio is controlled entirely manually, i.e. by its buttons, so are not caused by eSPYonARD or by serial communications.

The program has to refer to VFOZ from time to time, and use that VFO for various functions.
After a lot of work, I have created temporary 'fixes' that force the AR-DV1's firmware to behave as it should with almost all the 'bugs'. Usually these occur in the background, and have no visible affects. It may take a second for the program to identify that a firmware bug has kicked in, and to correct it.

The good news is that when using eSPYonARD the 1610B firmware issues are controlled, and most 'fixed' in the background.

END OF YEAR TIP
In a Search or Scan particularly, the program has to constantly send out and process numerous commands in order to keep its screen updated.
The program is intuitive, and if it starts to receive errors from the AR-DV1 it 'slows' down Search and Scan, but only as far as the information is displayed on the program's screen.
Errors may be caused by many factors, including any load on the P.C. at the time, and the number of USB devices connected. From time to time, whilst the program is scanning, right-click the MEM-SCAN button. This resets the 'delay' to its default value.

 

[marlbrook]

AOR-FRANCE and eSPYonARD VI Pro-Lite

The talented guy at AOR-FRANCE who makes the French Manual translation is usually very busy, so it can take a time for that to be available.

I have uploaded the latest Pro-Lite version (6.0007.002) to ardv1 so Users can gain access to it until it arrives on the AOR-FRANCE web-site. It has the English manual only

Please NOTE, the Pro-Lite update is clearly marked. Activation codes for it are only available from AOR-FRANCE. It cannot be used with the PRO activation code. If you do not have a code from France it is pointless downloading that program, it will not run.

Anyone wishing to download the PRO TRIAL should download the first setup file, (6.0007-002-SETUP) as should current PRO owners wishing to upgrade.

 

[marlbrook]

Frequency files from a PDF to 'Q-DB'

I came across an interesting frequency file today, which was in pdf format.

Under most circumstances, unlike most files you may find on the Net or elsewhere, you cannot simply highlight all the entries from a pdf and save them to a Notepad text file without losing all the formatting, which means they cannot be imported into 'Q-DB' and sorted for immediate use by the AR-DV1.

I have found a simple method to do this, which opens up the 'Q-DB' abilities even more.

1. Save the pdf file you found to your P.C.

2. There are many online pdf to Word converters. Just Google 'pdf to word'.

3. Follow the instructions, which usually involve uploading the pdf file from your P.C., then downloading the converted Word file to it.

4. From there it is just a matter of highlighting the lines you want in that Word file, with the frequencies in them, then copy / paste into a text file, and save it to a 'Q' sub folder. If the converter you tried does not produce the desired result, just try another. The Word file should be proper. formatted text, not just an image of the pdf.

I have not tested all the pdf to word converters obviously, but provided the result is a formatted text file, i.e. individual lines containing the frequencies you are interested in, just navigate to the file in 'Q', and sort it.

There are free programs you can install that do the conversion. Some seem to work, some do not.

Remember to convert the pdf to a WORD file, not straight to TEXT, or the correct formatting will not be available.

 

[marlbrook]

New firmware 1611b

In the light of the last couple of flawed updates from AOR, I will be looking carefully at 1611B and doing a lot of testing.

I see they have 'sort of' acknowledged some of the problems in 1610B that I had found.

AOR never give out any really detailed info about fixes. Often they change things that they do not tell us about. If the things mentioned are the only fixes they have applied, then there are still going to be problems, most of which I have mentioned in recent posts.

There were quite a lot of gremlins in 1610B, most of which I have written workarounds for. I will need to examine those workarounds carefully in the light of the latest update.

As yet I can have no idea if the latest firmware will cause any problems with eSPYonARD 6.0007-002, published last week.

If anyone discovers any, please email me via the Icon at ardv1. I will be looking too as above, but others may look in different places and find things before I do.

Cheers

 

[marlbrook]

1611b - initial tests with espyonard

Have installed the latest firmware, 1611B.

Relieved to say that so far eSPYonARD is running fine.

Looks as if I was right about 1610B problems being mainly related to VFOZ. The 'fix' they talk about re. previous settings being wrongly displayed on occasions has worked, but as those 'wrong' settings were often from VFOZ in the first place, whatever they did has put the VFOZ issue right.

I have not had time to test every single function, that will take days. However all the functions I have tested are working correctly. As many Readers will know I have added many things that the AR-DV1 is not capable of, without the program, and over the next few days I will be testing all of them.

I included several workarounds for 1610B anomalies in v.6.0007-002. I try very carefully to make sure that if any anomalies are fixed in any firmware update, the program should still function.

So far it looks as if that is the case. Currently there is no need for me to issue an update for eSPYonARD from the latest one.

If you have not done so yet, please install the latest version of the program from ardv1

I am not certain if AOR have fixed all the anomalies I had outlined in 1610B, so for the time being it is probably best for me to leave my workarounds in place. They all work in the background, and should have no side effects in any case.

 

[marlbrook]

1611B - More results

Just an update.

So far eSPYonARD seems to be running fine with 1611B.

Glad I decided to leave my 1610B fixes in place. Some of the 1610B bugs are still showing up in 1611B. Other recent threads go into more detail.

Cheers

 

[G0RQISTEVE]

Glad To Report That I've Since My Last Post I Have Purchased The Ardv1 Software & It Works Like A Dream, If You've Got The DV-1 You Must Have This Software

 

[marlbrook]

Christmas Present

As a little Christmas present I have put together a comprehensive AMATEUR FREQUENCIES list, for instant use in 'Q-DB', with frequencies and useful descriptions.

You can download the file (AMATEUR FREQUENCIES-REGION 1-SORTED.txt) from:-

ardv1

Just download and copy it to the ARDV1_CAT\QUICK LIST\QDB sub folder.

Run eSPYonARD, right click on the 'A-STR/Q' button. Then click the 'DB' button, and navigate to the file.

A window will open and by double clicking on any line the frequency and correct mode will be transferred to the radio.

It will give you instant access to the Amateur frequencies, and you can use the up / down buttons over the Tuning Knob to navigate, or the Griffin USB Tuning knob if you have one.

You will not need to sort the file in 'Q', it is complete and instantly ready for use.

Although it is a Region 1 list, most of those frequencies are pretty Universal, and it is really simple to edit, or add any other frequencies just using Notepad, if you are in a different Region and there are differences you want to incorporate. If you do, remember to leave -SORTED at the end.

Cheers, and Merry Christmas

 

[G7HID]

Thanks Jeff, and a Merry Christmas to you

Mike

 

[G0RQISTEVE]

Many Thanks Jeff & For All Your Hard Work On The Software, Have A Peaceful Christmas & New Year...

 

[deiraq]

Thanks Jeff for the Christmas bonus file and all the advantages we have gained from your work on developing eSPYonARD. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you and your.! Peter

 

[marlbrook]

If the file just appears as text, then right click on the entry at ardv1, then select 'save link as' to copy the actual file to your P.C.

You can alter the filename, but remember to leave the end as '-SORTED.txt'

(This just tells 'Q-DB' that it does not have to examine the file and make any automatic alterations)